1996 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies

Question 132: Basic Numeracy

Consider the following figures: (i) a rectangle 4 cm × 9 cm (ii) a square of side 6 cm (iii) a right-angled triangle with base 8 cm and height 9 cm Which one of the following conclusions can be drawn from these figures?

aThe areas of the three figures are all different
bThe areas of all the three figures are equal
cThe perimeters of the three figures are equal
dThe perimeters of figures I and II are equal

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Areas: rectangle 4 x 9 = 36 cm2; square 6 x 6 = 36 cm2; right-angled triangle (1/2) x 8 x 9 = 36 cm2. All three are equal. Perimeters differ: the rectangle has 26 cm, the square 24 cm, and the triangle about 29 cm (its hypotenuse is about 12 cm), so no perimeter conclusion holds.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) The three areas are all 36 cm2, so they are not different.
  • (b) Right: all three areas equal 36 cm2.
  • (c) The perimeters are 26 cm, 24 cm and about 29 cm, so they differ.
  • (d) The perimeters of the rectangle and the square are 26 cm and 24 cm, so they are unequal.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1996, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.